Leading two parishes through a pandemic is no easy task, but Father Ken Kirkman hasn't missed a beat.

He was ordained just four years ago, and he took over St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph's in Endicott last year.

Preaching to a much limited capacity at the church and viewers online is something that's new to him.

"On some levels, it does affect me when you don't see a full church, but at the same time, the people who are there are the ones who really want to be there, and they're happy to be there, so I think that provides its own kind of boost as well," Kirkman said.

The state is allowing places of worship in the yellow zone like these to have up to 50% capacity, but the Syracuse Diocese is limiting that to 33%.

Father Ken, who grew up in Dewitt, is happy to at least have the church open. And just like many of us, the pandemic has also forced him to find new hobbies.

"I've taken up running as a hobby, just because it's something I can do and be socially distanced, and just trying to keep a positive attitude, and certainly we've been busy at church, so that's good. It helps take your mind off things," said Kirkman.

Like all churches during this time, the financial side of things are becoming especially important. Some donations have been coming in by mail, and it's that community support that churches are relying on.

"I think it's very important, and it's equally as important for our churches to continue supporting our people and giving them this place of refuge every Sunday or every day of the week where they can come and pray and worship the Lord together. We are all in this together," said Kirkman.

Like many churches, the pandemic forced St. Anthony's and St. Joseph's to cancel their yearly festivals. But a group of parishioners banded together, offering a number of drive-thru services to help make up for the loss.

Father Ken says those events helped the church in more ways than one.

"They've been really helpful, as much for keeping people excited and keeping morale up as for the financial good they do, but they certainly have done that as well," said Kirkman.

In the meantime, while year two in the priesthood isn't anything like Kirkman could have expected, he's hoping to provide a bit of certainty in a very uncertain time.